6 Reasons to invest in a beret now

Trends

6 Reasons to invest in a beret now

Mules continue to rule and supersized earrings aren’t going anywhere, but its not often that a hat trend reigns with such all-consuming power, especially when said hat style has often been associated with stereotypical depictions of French men, all baguettes and Breton shirts.
Whether it was Dior’s adoption Beret for AW17, a continued obsession with French style or a pertinent nod to the connotations of political revolution that the beret’s history is steeped in: it's making its loudest sartorial comeback to date.
Lets be honest, the beret has always been adopted by the cool (read Bridgette Bardot, Debbie Harry or Faye Dunaway in Bonnie and Clyde) but equally back in 2000 as I sheepisly donned mine on the 220 bus en route to school (my mum thought they were cute) the boys on the bus were definitely laughing at me and shouting 'BONJOUR' as i passed by.

The beauty of the beret is it doesn’t matter what your style is, face shape or hairstyle – it’s easy to wear, style and dare we say, store. Looking defiantly past an occasional itchy forehead we give you 6 reasons to invest in the trend now…

Image by Danny Qazi

1. YOU CAN INVEST FOR UNDER £20

Ok so looking past the £600 price tag of the Dior leather beret for a second, any trend you can dip a toe in for under £20 is surely one worth trying. The high street is teaming with simple felt berets in appealing shades and even more appealing price tags (click here to shop now). If you find its not for you you’ve lost the equivalent of a weekend's worth of soya lattes.

2. THEY CAN PULL TOGETHER AN OUTFIT LIKE NOTHING ELSE

Sure, hats can sometimes make you feel like a bit of a w**ker even if you don't look like one but, let's be honest, for most people anything that makes looking chic easy has got to be a good thing. So, trust us, your go-to vintage jeans, blazers and sweaters will be given a new lease of life with the addition of a beret. A beret can make the most simple outfit look pulled together in that kind of insouciant way that the French are so good at.

3. THEY'RE AN EASY WAY TO PLAY WITH COLOUR
If you’re not really into wearing colour try injecting a supltle dose with a beret. If you ARE into wearing colour they are the perfect tool for tonal dressing. Layer shades of navy with the edition of a navy beret or try playing with 'off' shades and team a dusty pink beret with a cherry red coat.

4. THEY'RE VERSATILE AF

We challenge you to find something that a beret won’t work with. For evening, a slinky slip dress suddenly looks so much cooler with a beret and some flat evening slippers.

5. THEY'RE EASY TO STORE

Ok a tenuous argument you might say but who has space for hat boxes? Round, flat, felt pancakes pile up in a drawer like a dream.

6. ITS ACTUALLY ABOUT TO GET VERY COLD...
...And berets look a hell of a lot chicer than beanies even if you do have to deal with 'BONJOURS!' as you walk down the street.